Saturday, March 14, 2015

Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #105

Hi, everyone !!

Those of you who follow the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels may recall there being several tweets during this past week concerning the possible arrival of a 'Roku 4', or (perhaps) a 'Roku 4K' model, in the not too distant future. Personally, I was very surprised not to hear anything on the subject (excluding the future development of a 4K 'Roku TV' model) at CES 2015 back in January. Somehow, things just didn't seem to add-up right (for me, at least) and I haven't been able to shake the feeling that (despite their suggestions to the contrary) there wouldstillbe another set-top box (STB) model from Roku after the 'Roku 3'... if only as a direct response to the recent STB offering by Amazon, in the shape of their 'Fire TV' device. For the benefit of everyone else, here is a screenshot showing part of that Twitter conversation from Tuesday 10th March 2015:-

Anyway... it would appear that I'm not the only one who feels that way, as evidenced by the following tweet from 'Chris Metcalf' (@chrismetcalf223) posted barely twelve hours (when factoring in the time difference between here and California) after my last comment on the subject:-

However... I'm sure that neither of us expected that, within less than 24 hours, news of an FCC filing - courtesy of a "Class II Change Letter" to the Federal Communications Commission - from Roku Inc. would be broken by Janko Roettgers (formerly of Gigaom) via Medium.com, IN THIS ARTICLE, that added further fuel to the flames of speculative "fire", sparked by the aforementioned tweets, despite the "smoke" (screen) caused by the lack of any "official" word from Roku. Until now, that is...

The key information, as far as we're concerned is that the above document provides us with the first substantial evidence of NOT ONE, BUTTWO NEW ROKU MODELS both of which are based on minor alterations to the existing (i.e. "original", as per the text above) 'Roku 3' (Model: 4200X). All we can deduce from this is that the two "new" devices (Model: 4210X and 4230X) could well offer only wireless connectivity, both being "without two shielding PINs of RJ45 connector" as per item "1" of the modifications detailed in the above letter. Consequently, this is unlikely to refer to specifications for a 'Roku 4' or 'Roku 4K' model, BUT... it could be a sign that the current 'Roku 3' (Model: 4200X) is to form the basis of (possible) replacements for the current generation 'Roku 1' and 'Roku 2' devices. So just as the 'Roku 2 XS' and 'Roku LT' made way for newer models, with 'Roku 3' as the new Roku "flagship" device, it could (yet) mean we will see another filing from Roku for a new top-of-the-range streamer to replace the 'Roku 3'... in other words, 'ROKU 4' MAY BE COMING SOON!

If that turns out to be the case, then 'Dave Dim' (@dimspace) and 'BallsnBullets' (@BallsnBullets) may want to hold-off for just a little longer before deciding on which UK Roku model to opt for because it now seems more likely than ever that we have not (yet) seen the end of the Roku STB as previously suggested. Who knows... this could even provide Roku with an opportunity to introduce 'Roku TV' models to the UK?! Although, in all probability, it might make more sense to launch them here after the 4K models go into production. Either way, it looks like we're all going to have to start saving !!

Meanwhile... anyone interested in reading the FULL DOCUMENTATION supplied to the FCC by Roku Inc., in respect of this matter, can view an online PDF of the original 'Application Page' through FCCID.net - VIA THIS LINK - as with the above letter. The other good thing that could come out of all this is that we start to see some GREAT DEALS on remaining stocks of 'Roku 3' models as all UK Roku retailers clear their shelves to make way for the new line-up of UK Roku devices. There's also the possibility that, being based on the current 'Roku 3' model, ALL NEW UK ROKU MODELS could then (in theory, at least) support "screen mirroring" as (presently) enjoyed by owners of 'Roku Stick' and 'Roku 3' models from the current generation of Roku devices. ONLY TIME WILL TELL!

Moving on... as with last time around, sadly my time is (again) so tight this weekend that I'm not going to be able to leave you with details of any "private" channels. Should you find yourself "jones-ing" for more Roku content, however, I suggest you look back over my tweets from the last seven days on the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels where you will find details for some "private" channels I intend to add to this blog at a later date, as well as one or two others which you may (or may not) have come across. Those of you who don't mind waiting a while longer, and/or have no desire to go "trawling" through my ramblings on Twitter, can expect to find the info for several more of these "private" channels in a future 'Weekly RoundUp' post to "reward" your patience! :-)

Anyway, before I proceed with listing the current crop of new channels (plus providing links to their associated reviews) for this particular 'Weekly RoundUp'... a brief reminder that, whilst I had hoped I'd be able to catch-up on the missing Roku-related news from this blog in recent weeks, all the extra work I've been burdened with of late means it remains unlikely that I'll be fully caught-up anytime soon. Until I do find the time... my one saving grace is that (as mentioned previously) I have somehow managed to remain up-to-date with all the latest additions to the "New" category of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store and will endeavour to flesh-out what's missing ASAP! Admittedly, there are quite a few articles that I need to catch up on but, rather than post links for individual weeks, I'll simply refer you back to my "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #78", which contains all of the pertinent information you might need when researching back over the items in question. Again, I'm sorry this has dragged-on (far) longer than anticipated, and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you, but (all being well) things will be back up to speed soon!

For now... all I can offer you is a brief summary of the latest additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store from the past seven days. As with my other recent posts, you can expect any additional Roku-related news from the past week, along with details of any changes to the channel selection found on NowTV Boxes, to be added at some point in the near future. As for "mending" all of the "broken" links from previous 'Weekly RoundUp' posts, I still can't put a time-scale on how long that is going to take but (like I said before) if you "copy" the existing link(s) and change the "http" prefix to "https", as well as removing the "forward slash" between 'channels' and '#!details', so that "channels#/!details" becomes "channels#!details" in each weblink, you should find that they will all work for you and redirect to the new-look version of each individual channel description. As with the last eighteen 'Weekly RoundUp' posts, every link from this week (plus all future posts) will use the new format, so it's only those from 'Weekly RoundUp #1' up as far as 'Weekly RoundUp #86' which you'll have to amend... at least, until I can edit/repair the links for you !!

Still, with all the "missing" Roku-related news (and links) yet to follow, let's now press on with the current 'Weekly RoundUp' of NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This time there are ELEVEN NEW CHANNELS which have been added during the preceding seven day period. These latest additions to the channel line-up provided FRESH CONTENT in each of the Film & TV, Games, Internet TV, Food, Special Interest plus Religion & Spirituality genres (i.e. categories). Specifically... this means that no less than FOUR EXTRA CHANNELS have been added to the "Special Interest" category, as well as THREE EXTRA CHANNELS in the "Internet TV" category, and ONE EXTRA CHANNEL in each of the "Film & TV", "Games", "Food" plus "Religion & Spirituality" genres - all of which combine to make-up the selection of new choices which have been added to the channel store on UK Roku devices during this past week.

In keeping with previous installments from the 'Weekly RoundUp' series, details of these new channels have been listed below, together with links to obtain further information {by clicking on the channel name(s) beneath the respective channel icon(s) as pictured} and to read a 'Roku Guide' review with an independent (slightly more expansive) assessment of each one:-

PLEASE NOTE:- That the 'Paula Deen Channel' for Roku devices, developed by 'Mediarazzi', is a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION purchase with recurring payments. As such, if you choose to subscribe to this channel, YOU WILL BE CHARGED £2.99 PER MONTH and will continue to be charged in this manner UNTIL YOU CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION. It is also worth noting, before you subscribe, that ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE !!

PLEASE NOTE:- That, due to the fact that 'Motorz' was previously made available to Roku owners in the USA, as far back as June 2012, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT IN THE "NEW" CATEGORY of the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Consequently, UK Roku owners hoping to add 'Motorz' to their channel selection should LOOK FOR IT UNDER "INTERNET TV" INSTEAD which is the only place you will (currently) find it. HELPFUL HINT:- Once you have entered the "Internet TV" category of the channel store, simply PRESS THE "REV SCAN" BUTTON SIX TO EIGHT TIMES on your Roku remote TO "FAST SCROLL" TO WHERE 'MOTORZ' IS LOCATED in the list of Roku channels that make up that genre. Of course, it's precise position in the list may change in future but, as of the date of this post, that should help you find it more quickly than you may have otherwise.